The annual number of tourists to the Three Gorges Dam is expected to double that of 2005 in the next few years, said Chen Mengjiong, head of the Three Gorges Tourism Development Co. Ltd..

According to Chen, who ascribed the robust growth to the corporate management of the tourism industry, the Three Gorges Dam is expected to accommodate from 1.5 to two million tourists annually during the 11th five-year program (2006-2010) period.

In 2005, about 1.05 million people visited the world's biggest hydropower project and the cooperation realized revenue of 184 million yuan (US$22.7 million).

Chen said a range of recreational facilities, including a memorial garden for the Three Gorges Project, an aquarium and a botanical garden will be built in the dam area in the years to come.

Chen also noted that the Dam, an integral part of the tourism resources in the Three Gorges area, will be a driving force to economic development in the region.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2006)